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← Return to Knee pain and PMR?
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I have had pain behind my knees for 5 years. It’s getting worse to where I have difficulty walking. I also have hip, back, and shoulder pain. I have a diagnosis of PMR. No doctor has heard of pain behind the knees with this, but I’m here to tell you it is real.
Replies to "I have had pain behind my knees for 5 years. It’s getting worse to where I..."
@turleyl I can support you regarding the knee pain. I had terrible pain behind my knees. I was unknowingly dealing with PMR since October of 2025, but not officially diagnosed and treated until January of 2026. The majority of my pain was from the hips to the knees. My arms and shoulders were somewhat stiff and painful, but nothing compared to my lower body. When I tried to squat down to do yard work, the pain would tear through the back of my knees as if my tendons were being ripped away from the muscles. I quickly learned deep knee bends were off the table until prednisone controlled the inflammation. I’m at 5 mgs now, down from 20, and I can do squats once again. For reference, I’ve never had any kind of arthritis, so I’m convinced it was from the PMR. One additional note regarding the discussion on Covid and PMR. I did come down with Covid three months before my PMR symptoms hit. I had been keeping up with all the recommended booster vaccines as well. I asked my rheumatologist his thoughts about the connection, his opinion was there is no link between Covid, or booster vaccinations, and PMR. So it seems there’s as much variation in medical opinions regarding the cause of PMR as there is in the protocol for treating it.
I initially didn’t think I had PMR because my symptoms didn’t quite align with the “standard symptoms.” But I have learned not to let people disregard what you know you’re feeling. Everybody’s experience and journey is quite different. Doctors need to listen to patients and understand PMR is not a one size fits all. Wishing you well in your treatment and health.
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Hello @turleyl, Welcome to Connect. Sorry to hear you haven't had much help from your doctors to address the pain behind your knees. Mayo Clinic has some information on Baker cyst which can cause pain behind the knee but I don't think that's the only cause for this type of pain - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bakers-cyst/symptoms-causes/syc-20369950.
Have you considered seeking help from a rheumatologist or other specialist to try and determine the cause of the pain behind your knees?